Dewey R. Blalock, Sr.

ANGIER- Dewey Ruben Blalock, Sr., 93, passed away Tuesday morning at home on the family farm. Dewey was born on May 9, 1922, one of eight children of Sally Lipscomb Blalock and William Barnett Blalock. After losing his mother at the tender age of nine, family became even more important to him. He was a true renaissance man and with his brothers built all their respective houses. He could repair or build almost anything and was quick to attempt new things operating on the belief that he could do anything anyone else could do. On January 13, 1945, he married Rena Mae Taylor. They were married for seventy years before her death in February of this year. Dewey served in the US Navy and was a survivor of the Battle of the Leyte Gulf, widely considered to be the largest naval battle of WWII and a turning point of the war with Japan. After returning home to Rena and their two young sons, Dewey soon purchased land in Johnston County and began farming. In 1953 he purchased the farm in Harnett County where their daughter was born and where the family primarily resided. In addition to farming, he simultaneously worked for the NC Department of Corrections, retiring in 1982. Before failing health, Dewey loved riding his tractor and enjoyed trying new restaurants with Rena, taking day trips and spending time with family. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Thursday at the Bryan-Lee Funeral Home Chapel, Angier. Burial will follow at Kennebec Baptist Church Cemetery, Angier. A visitation will be held from 9:45-10:45 AM prior to the service at the funeral home. He is survived by his daughter Sharon K. Blalock of Charlotte, sons, Dewey R. Blalock, Jr. and wife, Brenda and Richard H. Blalock and wife, Carol all of Angier; half-sisters, Dorothy Jordan of Willow Spring and Helen Hudson of Raleigh; grandchildren, Mark Blalock and wife, Carol of Angier; Steven Blalock and wife, April of Fuquay-Varina; Amy Blalock Williams and husband Bonn of Oxford; Jill Blalock Glass and husband, Tom of Apex; great-grandchildren, Emily, Will, Taylor, Catherine, Caleb and Ryan Blalock, Caroline Williams, Kayleigh and Jenna Glass. In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by four brothers and three sisters. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Assn. of North Carolina, Inc, 1305 Navaho Dr., Suite 101, Raleigh, NC 27609.